overview

This page describes storage and usage guidelines for the service corridor and its associated spaces. It also provides ordering information for metal cabinets and additional documents on these spaces. Please see the Service Corridor Procedures for more detailed information on service corridor requirements.


  • The Service Corridor
  • The Circulation Corridor
  • The Emergency Exit
  • Storage Cabinet Selection Criteria
  • Approved Cabinets

Service Corridor

This space is directly behind the laboratory space and connects to the circulation corridor and emergency exit. The purpose is to serve as an alternate exit path, access route for deliveries and pick ups, lab equipment placement, and storage of chemicals and consumables.

01

Cannot be used to conduct any experiments. (No desks, chairs, or workstations in this area).
  • No usage of hazardous materials (storage only)
  • No open benchtop experiments

02

Minimum of 1.5 meters (60 inches) must be cleared and maintained through the corridor.

03

Cabinets and items stored on top of cabinets must leave a minimum of 0.5 meters (18 inches) clearance from the ceiling and must not block any emergency exit signs, lights, fire alarm devices, or warning devices.

04

Access to safety equipment (safety showers, eyewashes, fire extinguishers) must not be obstructed.

05

Open slatted metal shelves or cabinets are preferred over wooden shelves for storage.

06

Combustible items such as Styrofoam, cardboard, boxes and paper must be kept to a minimum and at no point create a ‘warehouse like’ appearance.

07

Newly ordered chemicals must be placed in storage cabinets within 3 days of receiving them.

Considerations

01

All metal cabinets in this area should at least be latchable.

02

Storage along the windows is permitted but must still adhere to above guidance.

03

Equipment is allowed on both sides of the corridor as long as 1.5 meters egress is maintained consistently throughout the corridor.

04

Storage of items on pallets or on the floor is only allowed temporarily for 30 days.

Examples

What's Correct?

What's Correct?

  • 1.5 m width is maintained.
  • 0.5 m distance from the ceiling is maintained.
  • Use of open slatted cages.
  • Combustible items such as cardboard are kept to a minimum
What's Wrong?

What's Wrong?

  • 1.5 m width is not being maintained.
  • Unnecessary amount of cardboard is kept.
What's Correct?

What's Correct?

  • 1.5 m width is maintained.
  • 0.5 m distance from the ceiling is maintained.
  • Use of open slatted metal cages.
  • Combustible items such as cardboard are kept to a minimum.
What's Wrong?

What's Wrong?

  • 1.5 m width is not being maintained.
  • “Warehouse like” appearance.
  • Combustible items such as cardboard are not kept to a minimum.

Circulation Corridor

This space connects the service corridor and the office area atrium to the emergency exit. It is only intended for storage of consumables inside metal cabinets and it is part of the building emergency evacuation route.

01

Absolutely NO hazardous material (chemicals, gas cylinders, etc) usage or storage allowed in this area.

02

Storage of items on pallets or on the floor is not permitted at any time, not even temporarily.

03

This corridor can only be used for storage of supplies (No Chemicals), non-combustible items inside metal storage cabinets or cages.
  • Non-combustible items can be stored in metal cabinets or cages.
  • Combustible items such as cardboard boxes must be stored only in enclosed latchable metal cabinets

04

A minimum of 1.5 meters (60 inches) clear width must be maintained throughout the corridor.

05

A gap no less than 0.5 meter (18 inches) between of the sprinkler head and the top of the cabinets must be maintained.

06

It is acceptable to have metal cabinets touch the ceiling as long as the sprinklers and other emergency equipment are not blocked or hindered.

Considerations

01

Approved metal storage containers (see “Approved Cabinets” section) are permitted for storage in this area as long as it latches closed and follows the above guidance for the area.

02

Equipment is allowed to be stored in the area as long as it is not combustible (e.g. not in wooden crate).

03

No plastic or wooden storage cabinets or shelves are allowed.
What's Correct?

What's Correct?

  • 1.5 m width is maintained.
  • 0.5 m distance from the ceiling is maintained.
  • Use of open slatted cages.
  • Combustible items such as cardboard are kept to a minimum
What's Wrong?

What's Wrong?

  • Excess and open storage of combustible materials such as cardboard.
  • Equipment and other items are not stored in metal cabinets.

Emergency Exit

This area is part of the emergency exit route. It must remain clear at all times in order not to impede traffic in the event of an emergency. The fire alarm pull station is located in the area and is intended to be used as occupants evacuate the building.

01

This area must be kept clear at all times.

02

No storage of any kind is permitted in this area.

Examples

What's Correct?

What's Correct?

  • 1.5 m width is maintained.
  • 0.5 m distance from the ceiling is maintained.
  • Metal cabinets are placed opposite to the emergency exit.
What's Wrong?

What's Wrong?

  • Storage of items at the window
  • Plastic drawer used for storage.
  • Plastic drawer is on the emergency exit side.

Storage Cabinet Selection Criteria

When selecting cabinets for the storage, the below guidance must be used. Email HSE@kaust.edu.sa for consultation.

01

Cabinet shall be placed such that clearance from ceiling to the top of the cabinet is more than 18 inches.

02

If possible, cabinet should be placed such that it shall not encroach the exit route in line with the double-leaf door frames.

03

Cabinet shall be placed such that doors can be fully opened.

04

Cabinets shall be made of steel with locks.

Approved Cabinets

The cabinets listed below have been approved by HSE and fulfill the requirements mentioned in the “Storage Cabinet Selection Criteria” section.

Option 1 – Generic Metal Cabinet available in Chemical Warehouse

Procurement description: type Cabinet (Metal; 2 doors with rack) in the search box.

Option 2 - Tennsco

Some of these models are available in the Chemical Warehouse/procurement system (type Tennsco in the search box).

Option 3 – Hoffman Group/Garant

These items will need to be purchased through procurement and come fully assembled. More information can be found here https://www.hoffmann-group.com/GB/en/houk/

Elimination
  • Item Numbers: 957350 and 957355
  • Dimensions (mm):
    725 x 750 x 2000
    725 x 1000 x 2000
    725 x 1024 x 2000
  • Models with a “/F” have shelves. All others do not have shelves.
Elimination
  • Item Numbers:
    957360 and 957365
  • Dimensions (mm):
    725 x 1434 x 2000
    725 x 1500 x 2000
Elimination
  • Item Numbers:
    957370 and 957375
  • Dimensions (mm):
    725 x 2000 x 2000
    725 x 2048 x 2000

Option 4 – Securall